1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS

As we mentioned in our previous article about the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, it was initially introduced in ’67; designed to compete with the Ford Mustang, this compact car rival was based off of the Pontiac Firebird frame. If you know a bit of French, you might recognize the name Camaro as the word for “buddy,” but hardcore American muscle cars fans will tell you that the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is Mustang’s nightmare.

This model was built during four stages: the first generation (67-69), the second generation (72-81), the third generation (82-92), and the fourth generation (93-02). Likewise, the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro was made available in two versions. The RS (Rally Sport) was just an aesthetic upgrade from the regular Camaro. So was the SS (Super Sport), with the exception of extra performance upgrades.

There were 41,000 makes of the 1968 Chevy Camaro RS, and only 28,000 makes of the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS edition. A fresh air intake system, dubbed Astro Ventilation, was introduced this year. Divided tail lights in the back were all-new; other cosmetic modifications included a pointed front grill, side lights on the fender in the front, as well as a front spoiler. Chrome hood inserts were native to the SS version. Front headlights changed from oval to circle lights. The SS featured a 396 cu. in. 350 horsepower big-block engine. Staggered shocks also helped solve issues associated with wheel hops.

Below are all engine options that were available on the 1968 Chevy Camaro:

230ci. L6 / 140HP 1BC

250ci. L6 / 155HP 1BC

302ci. V8 / 290HP 2BC

327ci. V8 / 210HP 2BC

327ci. V8 / 275HP 4BC

350ci. V8 / 295HP 4BC

396ci. V8 / 325HP 4BC

396ci. V8 / 350HP 4BC

396ci. V8 / 375HP 4BC

396ci. V8 / 375HP 4BC Aluminum Heads

A Powerglide automatic gear, also called Torque Drive, was a manual transmission that wasn't introduced until year 1968. Also for an additional price, you could opt in for an AM/FM radio, air conditioning when available (impossible for big-block engines due to not having enough space), and other nice features, such as: folding rear seats, cruise control (available on V8 models only), bucket seats, dual exhaust system, and more.

The non-rally sport version of the car was rebuilt with a distinct center split, with backup lights installed within the standard taillight bezels. If you wanted four-wheel disc brakes, the dealership could install them for you; they were not a Chevy upgrade option. The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro pioneered the term “tick-tock-tach,” when an optional upgrade for the car included a clock (not available on standard models) built into the tachometer.

An even higher-class version, called the Z28, came out with bigger engines than the RS or SS, but there were less Z28s made than RSs or SSs. The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 had an optional fiberglass spoiler, and a lot of models that are still in good shape have it.